Apparatus and method for determining whether an envelope is in or out of specification

Abstract

A measuring gauge constructed of a transparent “L” shaped body having an elongated first arm and a second shorter arm disposed at 90 degrees to the first arm and defining a notch therein which forms a triangle with the first leg of the triangle angularly disposed with respect to the outer edge of the second arm. A plurality of indicia are carried by the two legs of the gauge. The indicia each include a center band sandwiched between outer bands with the inner and outer bands being of contrasting colors. The side edges of the gauge are inserted between the flaps and back panels of the envelope into engagement with a gum line and a depth of penetration is observed by determining the intersection of an edge of the envelope with the indicium along a side edge of the gauge thereby determining whether or not the envelope is in or out of specification.

1. A measuring gauge for determining that a side seam envelope meets predetermined specifications comprising:
 (a) a flat transparent “L” shaped body including an elongated first arm forming the long side of the “L” shaped body and a second shorter arm disposed at ninety degrees to said first arm and at one end thereof; 
 (b) a notch in said second arm defining a triangle with a first leg angularly disposed with respect to the outer edge of said second arm; 
 (c) a first indicia carried by said first leg for indicating an in or out of specification of a first portion of an envelope; 
 (d) a second indicia carried by the outer edge of said first arm for indicating an in or out of specification of a second portion of an envelope; 
 (e) a third indicia carried by the inner edge of said first arm for indicating an in or out of specification of a third portion of an envelope; and 
 (f) a scale carried by the outer edge of said second arm for determining in or out of specification of a window cut out in said envelope. 
 
   
   
     2. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 1  wherein said indicia include contrasting bands. 
   
   
     3. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 2  wherein said contrasting banks include a band of one color sandwiched between bands of a different color. 
   
   
     4. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 3  wherein said band of one color is green and said bands of a different color are red. 
   
   
     5. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 1  wherein said scale is divided into ⅛ inch increments with the ½, ⅝ and ⅞ inch increments emphasized. 
   
   
     6. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 1  wherein said third indicia extends along an edge of said shorter arm which intersects said first arm and said extension is used for indicating an in or out of specification for a fourth portion of said envelope. 
   
   
     7. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 6  which further includes the indicium “TOP” adjacent said extension. 
   
   
     8. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 1  which further includes the indicium “INSIDE” adjacent said second indicia. 
   
   
     9. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 1  which further includes the indicium “OUTSIDE” adjacent said third indicia. 
   
   
     10. A measuring gauge as defined in  claim 1  which further includes the indicium “BOTTOM” adjacent said first indicia. 
   
   
     11. The method of manufacturing envelopes in a high speed production line, said envelopes having a back flap and a front flap joined at a bottom fold, and first and second side flaps joined to said back flap at first and second side folds, an adhesive material securing said back flap to said side flaps and an address displaying window cut out, said method comprising:
 (a) establishing a plurality of controllable manufacturing parameters; 
 (b) providing a measuring gauge, including a triangular element, the measuring gauge having indicia disposed along side edges thereof which may be read by a user to ascertain whether a portion of an envelope is within predetermined specifications; 
 (c) selecting envelopes during a production run for measurement to determine whether they are within said predetermined specification; 
 (d) inserting a first edge of the gauge between the side flap and back flap and into engagement with the adhesive and reading the depth of penetration of the first edge of the gauge; 
 (e) inserting the terminus of the triangular element of the gauge between the back flap and side flap at the bottom fold and into engagement with said adhesive material and reading the depth of penetration of the triangular element; 
 (f) opening a side seam fold of the envelope to expose the side flap on the inside of the envelope, inserting a second edge of the gauge between the back flap and the inside edge of one of the side flaps into engagement with the adhesive and reading the depth of penetration of the second edge of the gauge; 
 (g) 1. placing the terminus of the triangular element at the bottom fold of the envelope and reading the distance from the bottom fold to the bottom of the window cut out of the envelope; 
  2. placing the terminus of the triangular element at the first side fold of the envelope and reading the distance from the first side fold to the left side of the window cut out of the envelope; and 
 (h) adjusting one or more of said parameters to correct for any out of specification readings. 
 
   
   
     12. The method of manufacturing envelopes as defined in  claim 11  wherein said indicia includes contrasting bands and the depth of penetration of said gauge is determined by the presence or absence of at least one of said bands. 
   
   
     13. The method of manufacturing envelopes as defined in  claim 12  wherein said contrasting bands include a band of one color sandwiched between bands of a different color and when an edge of said back flap intersects said band of one color of said indicia disposed along said first edge of said gauge, said envelope portion is within specification. 
   
   
     14. The method of manufacturing envelopes as defined in  claim 12  wherein said contrasting bands include a band of one color sandwiched between bands of a different color and when an edge of said back flap intersects said band of one color of said indicia disposed along said edge of said triangular element. 
   
   
     15. The method of manufacturing envelopes as defined in  claim 12  wherein said contrasting bands include a band of one color sandwiched between bands of a different color and when an edge of said side flap intersects said band of one color of said indicia disposed along said second edge of said gauge, said envelope portion is within specification.